System and method for automatic control device personalization

Abstract

A system and method for improving the usability of electronic products. Control devices such as keyboards, mice, and switches, for example, are often accompanied by software which allows users to configure the device response to suit their physical abilities, situation and task. The system and method enables automatic configuration of such control devices in real time to match the user's requirements and enables users to achieve accurate control. The system includes a device for monitoring user activity and determining an appropriate device configuration from user activity sequences with that device, and a configurer that implements the appropriate configuration determined by the algorithm. The method further includes optional steps for identifying when a user with different configuration requirements starts to use a device, and for resetting the state of an inference algorithm when such changes are detected. This allows rapid configuration in environments where many individuals may use the same device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present invention is based upon and claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 415,165 filed Sep. 30, 2002.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to input devices used to control computer systems or other technology. More specifically, the present invention relates to the automatic, dynamic configuration of such devices in order to accommodate the control requirements of users who may have disabilities, or be operating the devices in contexts which affect their control of the device.[0004]2. Description of the Prior Art[0005]As the design of information technology systems and applications develops, more and more features allowing them to be configured to suit a range of user preferences and requirements are included. Computer control devices such as keyboards, mice, switches and touch pads are often accompanied by software wh...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and methodology for enabling the automatic configuration of computer control devices such as keyboards, pointing devices, switches, gesture interfaces and like devices, in real time, to match a user's requirements.

Problems solved by technology

A person with a disability which inhibits movement may find it difficult or impossible to raise their finger off the key before this delay is up.

As a result, they will generate many unwanted repeated characters, making accurate typing impossible.

All of these approaches have disadvantages.

Users do not know what they can adjust, do not know what to adjust the settings to (e.g. what value of delay for the key repeats to use), and have difficulty controlling systems in order to make adjustments.

This effectively makes independent access impossible for users with more severe disabilities.

Furthermore, it also requires some standard way for the user to access their profile, or transfer it between machines, which may be physically or cognitively difficult to access.

For example, users may forget ids and passwords, or forget to carry id badges, and may find it difficult to use schemes that require physical dexterity such as inserting cards in slots, or placing a steady finger on a fingerprint recognition surface.

Existing configuration mechanisms do not accommodate the dynamic nature of users' requirements.

Although the Keyboard Optimizer is easier to use and more accessible than other configuration mechanisms it does not completely solve the problems outlined above because users must still know that the program exists and be capable of launching it before they can benefit from its suggestions.

This necessitates the use of some alternate control technique while the voice profile is being built, and so does not provide independent access for voice-only users.

Configuration facilities are not always used by those who would benefit from them due to problems with existing configuration mechanisms, specifically:1) Lack of confidence in performing configuration;2) Lack of knowledge of how to change the configuration;3) Lack of awareness of the available options.

The remainder relied on themselves, friends, colleagues and family members for support.4) Difficulty in identifying the appropriate solution to a problem.

For example, it can be difficult for a user, or indeed an observer, to tell if two copies of a character appeared because they pressed the key for too long or accidentally pressed it twice.

In present day systems, users often choose configuration settings by a process of trial and error.5) Lack of control over the unconfigured interface.

For example, a user unfamiliar with a default system language may be unable to find out how to change the language themselves.

A novice user with a disability affecting their use of the mouse may have difficulty in controlling the mouse well enough to find out about keyboard shortcuts, or to access the control panel in which they can adjust the mouse sensitivity.

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